"I thought you'd thrown that watch away. What, you finally decided I'm not so bad after all?"

"Fair warning: if you're about to tell me you went and got a marriage license, I will throw myself off this building. Try me."

My voice came out level.

"No license. We broke up. She's making me wash her boy toy's underwear in front of a crowd."

"If you still want this marriage, don't make me waste my breath."

The other end went quiet for half a second.

When Ebony Mason spoke again, the excitement and fury in her voice were almost tangible.

"The Regalia Hotel?"

"Sit tight. I'll make that woman eat every last pair."

I was brought back to Noel.

Lauren hooked her arm through his, her tone dripping with tenderness. "Noel, today Laurence won't stop washing until you tell him to. Not until you're completely satisfied."

"Do you like your present?"

"Oh my God, I love it! Nobody treats me as well as you do, Ms. Sanchez."

The two of them locked lips in a shameless kiss, as if no one else existed.

Noel sauntered over to me, all smiles.

"So it turns out you didn't like barking like a dog, but this is more your speed? Tsk. Even trashier than I thought."

"You should've said so sooner. I've got plenty more at home. But wait, you're not planning to do this standing up, are you?"

The moment the words left his mouth, Lauren flicked her wrist.

A bodyguard behind me drove his boot into the back of my knee, forcing me to the ground.

Mocking laughter erupted all around.

"There we go. Much better angle for getting them nice and clean."

Noel picked up a bottle of liquor with an elegant flourish and blinked innocently.

"The thing is, I'm a bit of a germaphobe. Someone as filthy as you, Laurence... I just can't stand it. You don't mind if I sterilize you with a little alcohol, do you?"

I didn't look at him. My gaze went past him, settling on the woman behind.

"Lauren. Do I need to remind you that my skin is allergic to alcohol?"

"I'll ask you once. Are you sure you want to do this?"

Hesitation flickered across Lauren's face.

Before she could speak, Noel's eyes reddened, his voice trembling with hurt.

"Ms. Sanchez, don't tell me you actually feel sorry for him? You promised you'd help me save face today."

"I'm just trying to teach your husband how to be a proper, tidy homemaker. Otherwise, all he knows how to do is spend your money and throw jealous fits. How's he supposed to take care of you?"